I’m a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain. The dude loves life and lives hard — and shares it all (good and bad) candidly. Often in the evening, as Kim and I eat dinner, we’ll watch an episode of Parts Unknown, which is ostensibly about travel and food but actually about the human condition. It’s great stuff.

As part of their excellent Money Diaries series (“interesting people talking candidly about money”), robo-advisor Wealthsimple interviewed Bourdain about his relationship with money.

“My parents were not good with money,” Bourdain says. “They bought things they couldn’t afford.” When they did have money, they spent it instead of saving. As a result, his money blueprint was faulty from the start.

Bourdain shirked work. What money he did earn, he spent on drugs and other forms of entertainment. “I didn’t put anything aside, ever,” Bourdain says. “Money came in, money went out. I was always a paycheck behind, at least.”

The sad fact is, until 44 years of age, I never had any kind of savings account. I’d always been under the gun. I’d always owed money. I’d always been selfish and completely irresponsible.

Nowadays, things are different. Over the past twenty years, Bourdain has turned things around: “I am fanatical about not owing anybody any money. I hate it. I don’t want to carry a balance, ever. I have a mortgage, but I despise the idea.”

My name is J.D. Roth. I started Get Rich Slowly in 2006 to document my personal journey as I dug out of debt. Then I shared while I learned to save and invest. Twelve years later, I've managed to reach early retirement! I'm here to help you master your money — and your life. No scams. No gimmicks. Just smart money advice to help you get rich slowly. Read more.

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